Abstract
Mathematical techniques were used to measure the impact of deinstitutionalization on various measures of qualities of life. A covariance model was used to control for the differences between those who moved to community settings as a result of a court mediated settlement agreement, and those who stayed in developmental centers. Those who moved were on average higher functioning, with a lower degree of challenging behavior, enjoyed somewhat better general health, and were somewhat younger than those who stayed. Analysis of covariance is designed to correct for the influence of those four “covariate” variables, so that it is possible to get a fair comparison of the current qualities of life of Movers and Stayers. Results showed that movers have many more opportunities for integration; have many more opportunities for choicemaking and self-determination; have more hours of day activities; receive more services; are much more likely to actually be working on program goals; are much more likely to have made progress toward program goals; are rated as having considerably higher qualities of life across ten areas; have made much larger gains in qualities of life over the past year; are living in homes of higher physical quality; are living in homes higher in qualities related to normalization; have staff who like their jobs better; and have staff who like working with them (the individuals) more than the Stayers.
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